HITEV  1833  MINUTES  Regular Meeting of the City Council 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472  The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Whiteville was called to order on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., at 317 S. Madison Street, Whiteville, NC, 28472.  1) ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT:  Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait, Kevin' Williamson, and Emory Worley  Tim Collier  OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Darren Currie, City Manager; Carlton Williamson, City Attorney; Bonnie Williams, City Clerk; Colburn Brown, Finance Director; Robert Lewis, Planning Director; Madison Ward, Economic Development Planner; Hal Lowder, Emergency Services Director; David' Yergeau, Fire Chief; Joseph Williams (The News Reporter); Gary Lanier; Steve Yost; Suzanne King; Attending via Teams: Representatives of the NCSU Coastal Dynamics & Design Lab - Travis Klondike, Leslie Bartlebaugh, and Andy Fox Mayor Mann called the meeting to Order at 6:30 pm. Mayor Mann announced that Council Member Collier is absent due to deaths in his family.  and. John' Wood 2) CALL TO ORDER 3) INVOCATION 4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Mann. 5) ADOPTION OF AGENDA Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Kevin' Williamson, Emory' Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Collier)  Provided by Mayor Pro Tem. Jimmy Clarida.  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adoption of the agenda as presented.  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait,  6) APPROVAL OF MINUTES  6.1) Consideration for Approval of Minutes Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the minutes for the special meeting and regular meeting held on May 9, 2023 as presented. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous). Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1( (Tim Collier)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  7) PUBLIC COMMENT None. 8) BUSINESS    8.1) Request to Address City Council: Reuben Brown House Preservation Ms. Suzanne King approached Council as a representative for the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society (RBHPS) to request funding from the City in an effort to purchase the James B. White House at 203 Jefferson Street in Whiteville. She provided a brief history of the property and explained that RBHPS wanted to purchase the property and create a musuem for Columbus County as well as an events center. She reported that the RBHPS will pursue grants for the property in addition to solicting donations towards the purchase and maintenance of the property. She advised that the project will be manned and maintained by volunteers. She reported that the due diligence date for the purchase is June 16, 2023. She stated that representatives of the RBHPS will address the County Commissioners on June 5, 2023. She invited Council and the City Manager to tour the house and the property ift they desired. She briefly reviewed thei inspection report on the house with Council, stating that overall, it was in good condition and only a few repairs were needed. She thanked City Council and the City Manager Council Member Worley asked Ms. King what exactly iti is she is seeking from Council. She advised that the RBHPS is requesting funding towards the purchase of the property. Mayor Mann addressed Ms. King, explaining that at the regular meeting on May 9, 2023, he and the Council discussed with Ms. Susan Wood (RBHPS representative), how tight the upcoming FY2023-24 budget and how the Council is committed to improving salaries for its employees. Further discussion ensued regarding the amount of $300,000 they were requesting for the purchase of the James B. White house and property. Council Member Williamson stressed that Whiteville is a small rural city and its every Emory Worley MOVED to deny the requested funding from the RBHPS. Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  Society.  for making' Whiteville a good place to live.  dollar had to be stretched. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous). Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory' Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Collier)  8.2) Acceptance of NCSUCostall Dynamics and Design Lab Floodprint Mr. Currie explained that Mr. Travis Klondike, Ms. Leslie Bartlebaugh, and Mr. Andy Fox from the NCSU Coastal Dynamics and Design Lab were attending the meeting via Teams software to present floodprint document for the City of Whiteville. Mr. Currie deferred to Mr. Klondike for the presentation. Mr. Klondike explained that approximately 18 months ago, the City partnered with the NCSU Coastal Dynamics and Design Lab to produce a floodprint for the City of Whiteville. NCSU was compensated for their work on a grant through the NC Office of Resilience and Recovery (NCORR). He explained that a series of public meetings occurred with community groups along with engineering provided by NCSU. He explained how the floodplain document was written and provided a brief review of its contents. He advised that this document will aid the City in seeking additional funding for mitigation Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve the acceptance of the final floodprint  grants. Brief discussion ensued. document for the City of Whiteville. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Collier) Restoration  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  8.3) Recommendation for Engineering. Firm for Mollies Branch Stream Ms. Bartlebaugh presented this item to Council via Teams. She explained that the NCSU Coastal Dynamics and Design Lab has partnered with the City to conduct a flood print of the City. She reported that from this document, a project has been identified, which is the    restoration of Mollies Branch. She explained that to begin this restoration project, the City needs to hire an engineering firm to design and help with construction and grant management. She advised that the selection of the firm was based on experience, projects completed, and similar projects. She reviewed with Council the three companies who responded to the RFQ (Request for Qualifications). She stated that the recommendation from the selection committee is the Gresham Smith team with Biohabitats and Stewart as the most qualified team for the Whiteville Mollie's Branch Stream Restoration Project. Brief Jimmy Clarida MOVED to approve Gresham Smith as the firm to complete engineering for Mollies Branch Stream Restoration.  discussion ensued.  Vickie Pait SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1( (Tim Collier)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  9) COUNCIL COMMENTS  Council Member Worley asked if the Council would be provided a copy of the proposed budget. Mr. Currie stated that copies of the proposed FY2023-24 budget are scheduled to be delivered to Council on Friday, May 26, 2023. Council Member Worley asked if there was an ordinance in place to address small houses in the City, inj particular, outside sheds being converted into living quarters. Mr. Currie deferred to Mr. Lewis. Mr. Lewis stated that matter was more or less contained in the minimum housing building code. Discussion ensued pertaining to the NC State General Assembly addressing that matter  and removing it from thej jurisdiction ofr municipalities.  10) REPORTS  10.1) Manager's Update  Mr. Currie reported on the following areas: 1) Mollies Branch Stream Restoration he stated that three responses from the published RFQ have been reviewed. He advised that he, Mayor Mann, and Mr. Lowder met with them earlier this week via Zoom and reviewed the submittals. 2) Budget - He advised that the proposed FY2023-2024 budget will be submitted to Council later this week. He reported that the proposed budget must be delivered to Council before June 1 and on file with the Clerk. and 3) American Flood Coalition (AFC)- He reported that he, Mayor Mann, and Mr. Lowder met with a group from the American Flood Coalition last week. He advised that the group discussed potential projects pertaining tot flooding and the possibility of funding for additional projects. He advised that this is the second group the City has partnered with to continue addressing the flooding in the City. He stated that the AFC is a national organization based in Washington DC and aids communities with guidance and legislative issues regarding flooding. Ms. Ward reminded Council that the Madsion Street Music Festival is City Council received departmental monthly reports from the following departments in the agenda: City Clerk, Economic Development and Planning, Emergency Services, Fire, Inspections, Parks and Recreation,  scheduled for Saturday, May 27, 2023. 10.2) Monthly Departmental Reports for April 2023.  Police, and' WWTP.  11) CLOSED SESSION  11.1) Pursuant to NCGS 143.318.11 (a)(1)(4)  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve Convening Open Session and Move into Closed Session at 7:11 pm, pursuant to NCGS 143.318.11 (a) (1)(4)- Conference with Legal Counsel for the purpose to discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may be offered by the  public body in negotiations. Jimmy Clarida SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous)  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  Pait, Kevin Williamson, Emory Worley)    Nays: 0 Absent: 1(Tim Collier) Council adjourned Close Session at 7:47 pm. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1(Tim Collier) In Open Session, Council took the following action. Kevin Williamson MOVED to approve a Resolution of Support for Project Key and authorizing Mayor Mann to sign the Resolution. Helen B Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Pait, Kevin' Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Collier)  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve to reconvene Open Session at 7:49 pm.  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie  12) ADJOURNMENT 23, 2023 at 7:50 pm. Helen BI Holden SECONDED the motion. VOTE: 6-0 (Unanimous) Kevin Williamson, Emory Worley) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Tim Collier)  Vickie Pait MOVED to approve the adjournment of the regular meeting on May  Yeas: 6 (Terry Mann, Jimmy Clarida, Helen B Holden, Vickie Pait,  L. Mann, MAYOR T6 Borinie T. Williams, CITY BiAp CITY  Terryl